NeuroNatal

Innovation in every vibration, from bump to beyond.

The Problem

Overview

NeuroNatal is a wearable tech bra designed for pregnant and postpartum mothers, developed over the course of a year as my senior thesis. The bra uses haptic feedback to gently pulse when the user’s nervous system becomes dysregulated—helping restore calm and regulate stress in real time. Rooted in neuroscience and maternal wellness, NeuroNatal addresses a deeply under-recognized issue: how maternal stress directly impacts the health and development of unborn children.

Maternal stress isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous.
Research shows that prolonged stress during pregnancy can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight, and long-term emotional and cognitive challenges in children. Despite this, few tools exist to help mothers regulate their nervous systems in the moment—especially ones that are discreet, accessible, and grounded in science.

Objective

Encourage optimum pre & post development of babies by addressing the Mother’s wellbeing through the use of wearable technology.

Research & Discovery

Explored haptic feedback as a subtle, physical method of real-time nervous system regulation.
Collaborated with engineers and read scientific literature on polyvagal theory and somatic therapy.
Chose haptic pulses to provide non-cognitive, body-first relief—calming the vagus nerve, not just the mind.

Concept-Development

Sketched dozens of form studies prioritizing comfort, emotional resonance, and intuitive wearability.

Design Language & Brand Identity

Developed moodboards and integrated user feedback to establish a cohesive and emotionally grounded design language.
Crafted a sustainable CMF strategy using soft-touch, skin-safe materials aligned with the product’s therapeutic intent.
Selected colors and finishes informed by both trend research and emotional resonance.
Defined the complete brand identity, including logo, color palette, typography, and tone of voice, to communicate calm, trust, and empowerment.

Conducted trend forecasting and applied Blue Ocean Strategy to identify gaps in maternal wellness tech.
Interviewed 15+ pregnant and postpartum women, OB-GYNs, doulas, and therapists.
Identified key triggers: overstimulation, isolation, hormonal shifts, and lack of control.
Studied the nervous system and stress-relief wearables to inform a bio-responsive approach.
Conducted competitive analysis and created audience personas based on behavioral patterns.

Science-Led Ideation

Prototyping & Testing

Created two appearance models to explore form, followed by a final working prototype focused on functional integration.
Developed and iterated multiple 3D CAD models to optimize for comfort, breast shape variation, and flexible fit.
Researched and sourced wearable-safe electronic components to ensure both safety and reliability.
Coded and assembled a fully functional prototype with responsive haptic pulses triggered by simulated stress inputs.
Conducted user testing with postpartum mothers to evaluate both physical comfort and effectiveness of stress regulation.

Presentation & Impact

Delivered pitch presentations at multiple project milestones to faculty and industry advisors.
Integrated expert feedback into design and communication.
NeuroNatal was praised for its empathetic approach, scientific rigor, and category-defining potential.